Daryle Lambert: University City - Brouwer - F.M. Robertson - Grand Feu - Rhead - Valentien - UNKNOWN TO MANY

Do you recognize these names in pottery? If you don't, I hope my encouragement will persuade you to do a little research. You see, there is gold in those names.

I promised if you would stay with me, I would tell you where the real money is, and in these names, you can find a lot of it. Here is a suggestion. Go to the Kovels New Dictionary of Marks and copy all the marks for each one of these companies on a piece of paper and carry it with you at all times. Even better, buy the book and keep it close at hand.

You will find that several of these artists worked for more than one company, but when they worked for these companies, they produced some of their most collectible works. These companies have pieces selling on the low side for better pieces at $5,000, but the sky is the limit on exceptional pieces and their prices might range 10-20-50 thousand and these might even be too low.

Why don't most dealers spend their time researching for these real treasures. The answer might be that they don't come along every day, and if you are paying your mortgage with the sale of your daily finds these pieces may be too scarce to rely upon. But, the great advantage you have by following the 31 Club plan, is that it's okay to take up to six months to find that one special piece that will keep you on track to your million dollar account. Remember, we're making planned buys, using a strategic plan.

While University City Pottery had a short life span from 1901-1911 or perhaps 1914, its founder, Edward G. Lewis managed to attract some of the best in the industry including Frederick Rhead, Adelaide Robineau, and Serves- artist Taxile Doat.

In 1894, Theophilus A. Brouwer started Brower Pottery. It was a one man operation, and closed its doors in 1946, fourteen years after his death. There is a limited amount of his work that has survived and it is very valuable.


F. M. Robertson Pottery started in 1934 when Fred Robertson and his son, George, opened this company together. It was located in Los Angles California at a time when many of the better potters were moving west.

Grand Feu was another California pottery that had a short life span from 1912 to around 1916.

Frederick Rhead is one of the better known pottery artist of his day and I would suggest that you Google him for more information. If you recall from my earlier blog this week, Rhead was the leading artist for Roseville's extremely valuable line, Della Robbia, and he worked with many other pottery companies.

If you'll google Valentien, you'll discover his history and pottery and have his name and mark in your mind as well.

These pieces of valuable pottery could be right under your competition's nose and they wouldn't even know it. So my suggestion to you again is to READ - READ – READ.

Naturally, this reminds me of a story. Many of you know that I was in the oil business at one time, and as the story goes, there was a city slicker driving down a dirt road When he saw a farmer sitting on his porch rocking in a rocking chair. As he approached the old gentleman, he saw a oil pump in the field, and the farmer was rocking with every stroke of the pump. The city slicker couldn't resist asking the farmer what he was doing. The farmer told him, "I'm counting my money." The city slicker asked, "How's that?"

"Every time the pump goes up and down, I say one dollar, two dollars , three dollars. That's my part of the oil."

The reason I tell you this story is that every time you read about something in the Antique or Collectible field, you are just like that old farmer counting your money.

Today's Photo shows a piece of University City Pottery.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free simply buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

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Daryle Lambert: Know the Rare Ware in Roseville

Roseville pottery is perhaps the best known of all the pottery companies in America. Every dealer is aware of the common patterns of this very decorative pottery, and even most of the more rare patterns. With the production of even their common designs being reproduced today, Roseville prices are on the skids. In fact, I seldom even pick up a piece of Roseville anymore because people that own it still think that all the production at the Roseville pottery is still in demand, and so their prices to sell are too high for me to make a profit on it.

One exception in Roseville, however, is called Della Robbia. Now we're talking. If you come across a piece of this pottery produced by Roseville, you have something really special. This line began in 1906 and the designer was the world famous Frederick Hurten Rhead. They introduced seventy-two versions that year alone. Several years later, they brought out a new line of Della Robbia, but it was far inferior to the early pieces.

When you see a piece of Della Robbia, what really catches your eye is that it is deeply carved, sometimes as much as one eight of and inch deep, and then it's finished in a polychrome enameling. These pieces are eye dazzlers.

Rhead worked for some of the best pottery companies in this country before going to Roseville. The first company that employed him when he immigrated to this county was the Avon Company, where he worked from 1902-1904. Then he worked with another well known company that you have heard me talk about -- The Weller Company, before he moved on to Roseville.

His love of pottery seemed to keep him on the move, finally ending up in California with the Arequipa Company. He also had a brief stay with Jervis on his way out west.

I have to admit that I don't have any great stories of finding a wonderful piece by Frederick Rhead, but I am still looking. I know that there is one out there that has my name on it. These can be the real sleepers. Yes, if you find one, the price might be rather expensive, but when you get to the place in the 31 Steps to Your Millions where you need high-end items to take you to the next step, I suggest you look for Frederick Rhead pieces. The sky is the limit for his better examples, and this is where some real money can be made for you. What would you think if I said $50,000 may be too little for the right piece.

If you should come across a piece of Frederick Rhead before the time comes when you can afford to buy it, don't hesitate to call or e-mail us for assistance through our Associate Program.

As you can see, all Roseville isn't alike. Even the common pieces have different price ranges. You can study which patterns and colors bring in the highest prices. By knowing these differences, you will have trained your mind and your eye to spot a real treasure.

Today's Photo is a Roseville Della Robbia vase that sold for $38,850 and set a world record at the Pottery Lovers Auction in 1999.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free simply buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.